Sargent EC176 / EC360 power supply / control unit - fitted to recent Auto Trail PVCs - vehicle battery charging?

[Barti Ddu]

This is the pretty basic system (as far as I can tell identical to the EC175) that Auto-trail fit to their panel van conversions including V-Line, Tribute and Expedition models.

As the title says - if on mains hook up, and the vehicle battery is selected rather than the leisure battery on the display panel, should the on-board charger now charge the vehicle battery?

Thanks,
Barti Ddu.

 

[Cush]

thats how an earlier version that’s fitted to my van works. At ,east the V on the cab battery increase when it’s done.

 

[Pausim]

Why do they not fit a system that trickle charges the engine battery whilst fully charging the leisure battery? No switching needed, plenty to choose from. I will take a guess that it has something to do with the long out dated NCC standard.

 

[Revolvor]

On my Autotrail, if I select the "engine" battery, then it charges when on EHU. . However ....... if not on EHU, then it SUPPLIES 12v power for all the lights , 12v sockets etc.

 

[Barti Ddu]

Thanks all for the replies so far.

Revolvor - that's what I presumed should happen, and what the fairy poorly written Sargent manual seems to indicate. However, when I select vehicle battery, the display still shows that it is the leisure battery receiving a charge not the vehicle battery.

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[Revolvor]

Thanks all for the replies so far.

Revolvor - that's what I presumed should happen, and what the fairy poorly written Sargent manual seems to indicate. However, when I select vehicle battery, the display still shows that it is the leisure battery receiving a charge not the vehicle battery.

Have you selected vehicle battery, but with the EHU charger switched off? The display should indicate vehicle battery voltage. Then switch on the charger, and see if the voltage increases.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Fit a Vanbitz battery master. Then when either on ehu or solar the leisure battery charge trickles the engine batt if needed. You won’t have to faff about wondering which battery you left selected.

but to be honest the Sargent Autotrail electrics for the v-line is the most basic thing going with a pitiful size standard leisure battery. It is almost not fit for purpose. Spent a serious amount of money upgrading mine.